Yashi Gautam

According to the latest report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (2022), 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Previous findings indicate that improving access to safe drinking water prevents 4 percent of the global disease burden.

Safe drinking water, a global concern

The safety and accessibility of drinking water is a global concern. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 80 percent of diseases are waterborne. Contamination from the geological formations (termed geogenic contamination) is the major source of groundwater contamination.

Safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are the essential components to lead a healthy life. Correct, consistent, and continuous practices of WASH behavior, particularly hand hygiene can help prevent infections and spread of diseases.

Poor consequences of unsafe drinking water and not following WASH behaviours are well documented. According to the World Health Organisation 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhoea occur globally every year.

Adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential components for providing basic health services, and access to safe drinking water, toilets and hand hygiene are the most critical components of WASH services. Correct, consistent, and continuous practices of WASH serve to prevent infections and spread of diseases.

WASH for health

One of the principal risks to public health is the lack of access to safe drinking water. The Millennium Development Goals by the World Health Organisation (WHO) focus on the target of halving the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water.